Topless pics of Kate anger British royal family

London, Sep 15: When Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge and her husband Prince William, were enjoying their holidays in south of France recently, probably they would have never thought about their precious private moments be made public through a magazine.

The publication of topless pictures of Kate in a French magazine has evoked anger from British royal family. British royal family has sued the magazine Closer, on the context that Kate has her right to privacy, on Friday, Sep 14.

A royal spokesman had confirmed that a legal proceedings for breach of privacy had been launched against Closer magazine that published the pictures.

"Their Royal Highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house. It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them," said the spokesman.

Expressing his ire over the entire episode, the spokesman said that it was a "grotesque and unjustifiable invasion of privacy". He further added it was reminiscent of "the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales." Lady Diana died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997, after being chased by photographers.

Even British Prime Minister's Office has also reacted on the issue.

"The view from Downing Street is that they are entitled to their privacy," said a statement from the office of British Prime Minister.

However, the editor of the magazine, Laurence Pieau, said British royal family reaction was a "little disproportionate."

Pieau added that the picture showed, "a young woman sunbathing topless, like the millions of women you see on beaches."

"What we saw in the pictures was a young couple that have just got married, who are in love, who are beautiful. She's a princess of the 21st Century...They [the couple] are on the terrace of a mansion in the south of France, which isn't far from a road along which cars pass without any problem. They are visible from the street," she said.

The BBC's Paris correspondent said the photos, spread across four pages, were "blurry." On its website, the magazine reportedly described the couple "like you have never seen them before. Gone are the fixed smiles and the demure dresses. On holiday, Kate forgets everything."